September 2, 2023 | By NHRA

J Force, Ashley, Stanfield, Herrera top NHRA Challenge races at U.S. Nationals

Indianapolis, IN —  Funny Car legend John Force claimed his first win in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, defeating back-to-back world champ Ron Capps in the final round on Saturday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park as part of this weekend’s 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the world’s biggest drag race in Indy.

Force went 3.989-seconds at 328.78 mph in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS to defeat Capps, picking up the victory in the bonus race for the first time in 2023. Force knocked off teammate Robert Hight earlier in the day before getting past his longtime rival in the finals, adding another chapter to his rich Indy legacy.

“I want to win the Mission deal, but it was an opportunity that I got away with it,” Force said. “You just do what you do and attack it. I'm not saying what I do is right, it's just what I do. Some days, the good Lord lets me get away with it, and I did today. It was good to come in here to Indy and be able to do your job at my age. I ain't great, but I'm good enough to be here, and I'm going to get better. I have a lot of work to do, but I'm no spring chicken. I've won Indy five times, but it was a good feeling to do this.”

Capps was the season winner in the Funny Car Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, accumulating 14 playoff points in the process.

In Top Fuel, Justin Ashley finished off his season-long success in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge with his unprecedented sixth victory in the bonus race thanks to a stellar run of 3.714 at 334.73 in his 11,000-horsepower Phillips Connect/Toyota Dragster. That gave him the win over Antron Brown in the final round, as well as the season-long title in the specialty race. Ashley was incredible in the Saturday event from start to finish and his reward – along with a number of bonus payouts – is 21 playoff points when the Countdown to the Championship begins.

“These Mission #2Fast2Tasty points really add up, especially because of when they come into play which is after the points reset,” Ashley said. “It was critical for our team to take advantage of every opportunity we had during this challenge. I feel like we did a great job with that, and it's just a testament to the great team that we have.

“Overall, when you look at the challenge, it's really unique, something we've never done as a sport. I think it's good for the fans, good for the teams, and good for the drivers. It's really a win-win all around. It's just been so much fun. It's been an absolute blast.”

Stanfield turned in an impressive performance in the final round of the specialty race in Pro Stock, knocking off Kyle Koretsky with a run of 6.630 at 207.56 in his Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro. Not only does it give Stanfield his second win this season in the bonus race, but the rising star was also overall Pro Stock season winner in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge over Dallas Glenn.

It was a thrilling moment for Stanfield, who looks to have a huge impact in the Countdown to the Championship. Saturday’s win provided plenty of momentum and Stanfield, who earned eight playoff points for the Countdown, hopes to carry it over to the rest of the weekend.

“It's pretty cool and to be honest with you I didn't even know I had a shot to win this,” Stanfield said. “Sometimes that's the best way to go into something like that. I have to thank Mr. Gonzalez and Mission Foods for putting on a program for us to add a little bit of more competitive juices throughout qualifying and the race. My guys gave me a really good hot rod today, and I drove good enough to get it done. It's always good to do it at Indy.”

Gaige Herrera cemented his dominance in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, winning for the fourth time in six Pro Stock Motorcycle races by defeating Eddie Krawiec in the finals on Saturday with a run of 6.759 at 199.11 on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. Much like he has been all year, Herrera was incredible on Saturday in the bonus event, posting a pair of strong runs.

It gave him 13 additional playoff points in the Countdown to the Championship, another tremendous achievement in his standout 2023 campaign.

“It's been very exciting,” Herrera said. “Mission is a very big sponsor for us, so to be able to represent for them is big. Not only that, but to have both bikes in the final, it was awesome for the whole team and for Mission and our Vance & Hines Suzukis. I'm very ecstatic to get this overall win, I got four out of six of them, and this whole season has been incredible. It's hard to put into words because I feel like it's still not real.”

Qualifying continues on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. ET at the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

MISSION #2Fast2Tasty CHALLENGE ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS

INDIANAPOLIS -- Final round-by-round results from Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the 69th

annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY TOP FUEL CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE -- Justin Ashley, 5.891, 108.81 def. Leah Pruett, Foul - Red Light; Antron Brown, 3.858,

321.50 def. Mike Salinas, 3.820, 304.74;

FINAL -- J. Ashley, 3.714, 334.73 def. A. Brown, 3.856, 321.50.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY FUNNY CAR CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE -- John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.012, 321.96 def. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.976, 319.07; Ron

Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 4.016, 317.87 def. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.141, 255.77;

FINAL -- J. Force, 3.989, 328.78 def. R. Capps, 4.844, 163.75.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY PRO STOCK CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE -- Kyle Koretsky, Chevy Camaro, 6.603, 207.11 def. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.648, 206.20;

Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.625, 208.10 def. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.624, 207.27;

FINAL -- A. Stanfield, 6.630, 207.56 def. K. Koretsky, 6.644, 207.05.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE -- Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.800, 199.29 def. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.877, 198.55; Gaige

Herrera, Suzuki, 6.760, 199.11 def. Angie Smith, Foul - Red Light;

FINAL -- G. Herrera, 6.759, 199.11 def. E. Krawiec, 6.822, 199.29.

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HIGHT, TORRENCE, HARTFORD AND HERRERA GET PROVISIONAL NO. 1 SPOTS AT DODGE POWER BROKERS NHRA U.S. NATIONALS

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 2, 2023) – Robert Hight powered to the provisional No. 1 spot on Saturday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, going to the top during the final qualifying session at the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all remained the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 15th of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

Hight went 3.853-seconds at 329.67 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS, racing to the top under the lights at The Big Go. If that holds, Hight will earn his fourth No. 1 qualifier this season and 81st in his career. It also gives the multi-time champion plenty of momentum heading into Sunday’s Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout.

Hight had the first selection the specialty event, selecting back-to-back world champ Ron Capps. With the next pick, Bob Tasca III picked John Force and Matt Hagan followed by choosing Tim Wilkerson, leaving Cruz Pedregon and Alexis DeJoria as the final pairing for Sunday’s race. Hight, though, likes his chances after Saturday’s standout run.

“That was big. We stayed and tested Monday after Brainerd and things went really well. So far, our first three runs here have been pretty impressive,” Hight said. “When the car responds to what Jimmy [Prock, crew chief] is doing and it runs what he says it's going to run, you can't be any more confident than that.

“The other Funny Cars weren't running great and none of the dragsters really stepped up from last night, but you have to trust what your people are telling you. They're fine-tuning this thing right now, it's not just 'make a bunch of changes and see what sticks.' They're fine-tuning parts of the run and that's how you become consistent and win.”

Tasca is currently second with a 3.864 at 324.90 and Alexis DeJoria sits third thanks to her 3.888 at 331.77 from Friday.

In Top Fuel, Torrence stayed on top thanks to the run of 3.708 at 329.42 in his 11,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster on Friday. Torrence is after his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and 36th in his career. He is aiming for his second win in three years at the world’s biggest drag race and third overall at The Big Go. Defending world champion Brittany Force stayed second with her 3.709 at 333.25 and Doug Kalitta remained in the third spot on Friday with a run of 3.717 at 328.54.

Hartford maintained his No. 1 spot in Pro Stock thanks to Friday’s run of 6.569 at 209.23 in his Total Seal Camaro, keeping him on track for his fourth top qualifier this season. He also made the quickest run of Saturday’s first session, continuing his quest for a first Indy triumph.

“We're siting potentially as the No. 1 qualifier at Indy. It's a lifelong dream come true,” Hartford said. “There are two things that would make this season better: No. 1 to win the championship, No. 2 is to win Indy. Our goal is to go four rounds here on Monday, and four rounds for every race in the Countdown and see where the points stack up. Our team has really gelled, we've had the same team now for a long time. We’ve made three incredible runs for the conditions.”

Troy Coughlin Jr. maintained his second spot with a run of 6.570 at 208.30 and Aaron Stanfield stayed in the third spot after going 6.586 at 208.39.

He didn’t top Friday’s spectacular, track-record run of 6.746 at 198.96 on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, but Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Gaige Herrera made a pair of strong runs to stay in command heading into Sunday. If Friday’s run holds up, Herrera would get his eighth No. 1 qualifier in nine races, a spectacular feat considering the talent level in the category.

“I was very pleased with that run, but I have to give all the credit to (crew chief) Andrew (Hines) and all the crew guys,” Herrera said. “Andrew has tons of data, and all that but he adjusts per the weather. It's always last minute before we roll up Andrew is just finishing the final touches before the pass because he wants max performance every pass.

“We're off to a very good start and I'm definitely looking forward to the next two days. Hopefully it keeps going into Monday.”

Herrera’s teammate, Eddie Krawiec, is stayed second with his 6.807 at 198.79 from Friday and Hector Arana Jr. remained third after going 6.873 at 198.76.

Qualifying continues on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. ET at the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout begins at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, with the semifinals at 3:20 p.m. and the finals at 5:15 p.m., with television coverage taking place from 4-5:30 ET on FOX.

SATURDAY QUALIFYING RESULTS

INDIANAPOLIS -- Saturday's results after the first three of five rounds of qualifying for the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, 15th of 21 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Sunday for Monday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Steve Torrence, 3.708 seconds, 329.42 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.709, 333.25; 3. Justin Ashley, 3.714, 334.73; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.717, 328.54; 5. Mike Salinas, 3.721, 335.32; 6. Leah Pruett, 3.730, 331.69; 7. T.J. Zizzo, 3.736, 330.07; 8. Josh Hart, 3.744, 323.89; 9. Shawn Langdon, 3.750, 321.73; 10. Austin Prock, 3.781, 326.08; 11. Tony Schumacher, 3.784, 326.79; 12. Spencer Massey, 3.795, 323.04; 13. Doug Foley, 3.803, 316.75; 14. Will Smith, 3.822, 312.78; 15. Antron Brown, 3.856, 321.50; 16. Lex Joon, 3.858, 311.27. Not Qualified: 17. Buddy Hull, 3.863, 314.39; 18. Dan Mercier, 3.878, 310.41; 19. Clay Millican, 4.589, 171.62.

Funny Car -- 1. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.853, 329.67; 2. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.864, 324.90; 3. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota GR Supra, 3.888, 331.77; 4. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.912, 323.19; 5. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.917, 328.22; 6. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.931, 304.25; 7. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.934, 327.66; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.945, 328.38; 9. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.955, 328.78; 10. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.974, 292.08; 11. Dale Creasy Jr., Charger, 3.977, 321.88; 12. John Force, Camaro, 3.989, 328.78; 13. Alex Laughlin, Charger, 4.048, 308.28; 14. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.072, 274.11; 15. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.079, 310.41; 16. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.089, 277.15. Not Qualified: 17. Dave Richards, 4.121, 308.35; 18. Justin Schriefer, 4.802, 176.40.

Pro Stock -- 1. Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.569, 209.23; 2. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.570, 208.30; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.586, 208.39; 4. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.588, 208.68; 5. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.590, 209.01; 6. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.599, 208.33; 7. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Ford Mustang, 6.603, 208.42; 8. Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 6.604, 207.56; 9. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.605, 208.97; 10. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.622, 206.57; 11. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.627, 206.04; 12. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.641, 206.29; 13. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.645, 208.01; 14. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.661, 206.89; 15. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.701, 206.80; 16. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.794, 205.10. Not Qualified: 17. Mason McGaha, 6.979, 205.47.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.746, 198.96; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.800, 199.29; 3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.828, 199.11; 4. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.877, 198.55; 5. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.878, 197.08; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.881, 197.16; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.917, 195.70; 8. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.934, 195.68; 9. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.935, 196.99; 10. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.940, 195.11; 11. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.967, 192.47; 12. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.003, 196.39; 13. John Hall, Buell, 7.027, 193.27; 14. Chris Bostick, EBR, 7.068, 189.55; 15. Bud Yoder II, Buell, 7.114, 191.40; 16. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 7.210, 181.25. Not Qualified: 17. Wesley Wells, 7.226, 185.10; 18. Odolph Daniels, 7.324, 181.59.